Tom Aspinall: UFC to consider removing heavyweight title after almost year out injured

The UFC will assess Tom Aspinall’s status as heavyweight champion as he approaches a full year out of action, says its president Dana White.

Briton Aspinall, 33, has not fought since October 2025, when the first defence of his title against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest as he suffered an eye injury.

After repeated eye pokes from Gane, Aspinall was unable to continue and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare eye condition and had persistent double vision before having surgery.

Earlier this month, UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko vacated her title because of persistent injuries.

White was asked whether he thought that Aspinall should consider doing the same, or whether any discussions had taken place about stripping him of the title.

“We’ll definitely be talking about that,” White said.

“Valentina doesn’t want to tie up the division and I’m assuming Tom feels the same way.

“I don’t know personally where he is health-wise. We should clear that up soon.”

In June, Aspinall said he had returned to full training for a rematch with France’s Gane and suggested they could fight in September.

He then rejected reports saying that he was going to leave the UFC when speculation started at the end of August.

Gane beat Alex Pereira to win the interim heavyweight title at the UFC’s White House show in June, before also calling for a rematch with Aspinall.